The Sugar Plant Territory - Groningen

Landscape Architecture & Planning Studio 2014

d e t n at u r - o g b i ov i d e n s k a b e l i g e fa k u lt e tk b e n av n s u n i ve r s i t e t

The Sugar Plant Territory - Groningen

l a n d s c a p e p l a n n i n g 2 0 1 4 • pa g e 2u n i v e r s i t y o f c o p e n h a g e n

Landscape Planning 2014

Teaching team Editorial team

Layout

Special thanks to:

Peter Lundsgaard Hansen - Course responsibleEllen Marie BraaeTorben E. Dam Virginie C. le GofficAnne Magrethe Wagner Jens Linnet Martin Lysholm Hjerl Carsten Johansen (ModelLab)

Daniel Lund Sørensen Niels-Christian Mariager PedersenPeter Lundsgaard Hansen

Jette Alsing Larsen

SEEDSSEEDS is an international project that explores temporary use as a strategic tool for urban transformation through a EU funded North Sea Region Interreg collabora-tion. The aim is to investigate transnationally how short term interventions can support long term regeneration of urban derelict areas. At University of Copenhagen this is done both locally and internationally through 1:1 prototyping, teaching, seminars and knowledge exchange. Having landscape architecture students examine a strand of possible futures for the transformation of the now vacated Sugarplant serves as a very valuable input to the collected knowledgebase of SEEDS. www.ign.ku.dk/seedswww.seeds-project.com

THE MUNICIPALITY OF GRONINGENThanks to Hiltje van der Wal, Just Verhoeven and Jan Martijn Eekhof for their help - and for making it possible for us to work onsite at The Sugar Plant during our fieldwork in The Nederlands.

COLLEAUGESWe are greatful for the stimulating walks, talks, lectures and discussions with our fellow colleagues from landscape architecture offices and from The University of Copenhagen. Lastly a thanks to Bart Brands for dropping in for a lecture.

Alderman, Michael John

Ankerstjerne, Christian Henrik

Atchade, Audrey

Avery, Diana Clare

Bang, Malene Fogh

Berggren, Ulf Frederik

Bonde, Linda

Bøye, Cecilie

Chmielewska, Justyna

Christensen, Søren Lahn

Cloarec, Maxime

Conciatu, Cristina

Davidsdottir, Hulda

Day, Olivia Francis

Feldskou, Lisbeth

Folvig, Sara

Frederiksen, Susie

Garancsy, Nathalie Silvia

Genee, Sidsel Marijke

Glad, Marie

Gomes, Matilde Cerqueira

Gomes Martinez, Cinta

Hansen, Camilla Kjærgaard

Hansen, Lasse Bøtker

Keil, Lærke Sophie

Lin, Liangliang

Ljubijankic, Amra

Lund, Sif Peiter

Lunde, Louise Juncher

Lysemose, Julie

Løvenkjær, Ida

Magnon, Antoine

Moldenhawer, Milan Holm

Mortensen, Nicolai Lindberg

Mulvad, Inger Marie

Naumann, Sebastian

Nemeth, Caroline Sofie Grenaa

Nielsen, Signe Lilleskov

Pedersen, Rasmus Weitze

Pedersen, Trine Baarsøe

Petersen, Nick Dyhr

Petersen, Signe Hvergel

Rasmussen, Simon Kallenbach

Rekos, Monika

Salac, Josef

Snitgaard, Esben Elleby

Svendson, Melissa Elisabeth

Understrup, Kristine Grue

van Haaster, Johannes Antonius

Wahlgren, Troels Bak

By Peter Lundsgaard Hansen

In this design studio 55 internation-al students from Denmark and the world have been working intensively for 8 weeks with the transformation of a closed down sugar plant in the western periphery of the Dutch city of Groningen. The University of Copenhagen col-laborates with Regio Groningen As-sen and the City of Groningen with the Sugar Plant site as one of the 15 pilot projects that serve as test beds for SEEDS interventions.

The approach to this design- and plan-ning studio 2014 ironically draws a line to Nordic history. Like the Vi-kings we too have explored the world

on boats. We have sailed the canals of iconic Dutch landscapes, bicycled through open fields and along historic water defense lines, we have walked through gardens and cemeteries, we have talked about the historic parks and contemporary urban landscapes that we have seen in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Hilversum, Rotterdam, Lei-den and Groningen.

With the knowledge and inspiration that we got from our travels and with the preparations that was made in the studios in Copenhagen, we worked onsite at The Sugar Plant in Gronin-gen. We built models, made sketches, walked in the pouring rain, talked and worked in groups by the fire in the fac-tory.

Here discussions about the urban transformation of this anti territory took place and the work was celebrat-

ed with an exhibition and a feast that no Viking could ever have dreamt of.

This newspaper presents the un-edited results from 8 weeks of intense work by landscape architecture master students. 13 groups have worked on elaborating future plans for The Sugar Plant Territory.

The projects on the following pages work with concepts such as parks, al-lotment gardens, green nurseries, sus-tainable water management, housing, retail, recreational landscapes, tempo-rary interventions, education and ex-perimental urban research.

The participant’s work contributes to an ongoing discussion regarding ur-ban transformation of industrial sites, their infrastructure and it specifically challenges our approach to work-ing with cultural heritage within the framework of industrial territories as a whole.

INTRO

Table of ContentsIntroduction

Group projects


Intro

Table of Contents

Anti’s Territory

The Sugar Plant Territory

The way we work I

The way we work II

The way we work III

The way we work IV

The way we work V

The Sugar MountGroup 1

Vooruit GroningenGroup 2

Where Two Lines are MeetingGroup 3

WesterbruutGroup 4

Park KvekerijGroup 5

Crossing HoendiepGroup 6

Urban WatersGroup 7

Testing FieldsGroup 8

Agri-UnieGroup 9

Linking NeighbourhoodsGroup 10

Site of SuccessionGroup 11

Experimental IslandsGroup 12

A Multifaceted Urban ParkGroup 13

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2

5

6

9

11

12

13

14

15

18

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24

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why shouldn’t I be a little uneasy? Don’t you agree? I can’t exactly point out why, but with what we already know new things pop up in my mind. Let me give you an example. If only I add “in the outskirts of town” or how about “on the grounds of an old sugar plant” this whole situation could very well spin out of control. Combine them with the “ little girl” and we have a tragedy.

I am sure it is just my imagination, I am sorry, it’s just how my head works, I know! But you shouldn’t worry.

You know the streets I told you about. There is also a road and, it cuts through the neighbourhood where the little girl lives. She’s got a best friend and he’s got a map. The boy lives on the other side. They call the road “the road” because it is a big road. The old sugar plant they call “the sugar house” because that is where the house is.

No body knows about the house in the willow tree except for Mr.3 that is. I know what you think – I thought so too, but the situation is this; Mr.3 said “the Vikings are notorious for sailing their vessels into unknown territory to loot and raid all over the European continent – even rape.” Their skills as merchants and traders are widely un-derestimated, he rampeled on.

He knows because he descents from a long line of merchants him self. That is how he lost a leg before he came here with a circus. “Actually I am go-ing on an expedition”, he says, “I am almost set to go – if only I had a map.”

For this part of the story I can truly say that I am not imagining anything because I don’t know what happened when they spoke about the map. No-

ten it after the last circus left), some robe (the circus again), an old can with a matchbox, a pencil, two bottles of water and the map. They have rolled everything up in a blanket - except for the rope, the knife and the map.

Mr.3 have been studying the map. It is a real Michelin he said when the boy found it down by the canal one day. They have made a circle that marks the willow tree and this is where they will depart. X marks the destination. The route will take them across the con-crete dessert close to the chimney and down to the edge of the canal - to the water pond. From this point – if they get there - they have decided to cross the dangerous waters of the Amazon

body knows and your guess it as good as mine. But what ever happened or what words were exchanged that day – sealed the deal - and now the three of them are going to the continent. The boy and the little girl even had a talk about the three-legged-Viking descented-cat.

“Cars talk too”, the little girl had said to the boy. Good talk!

The African Queen The preparations are coming along as planned. They already have a raft for sailing and most of the supplies for the journey. It all adds up to; dry socks, a Yankee-bar, a flashlight, one pock-etknife (somebody must have forgot-

Anti’s Territory

The Sugar House and the Willow TreeHello. My name is Anti. I know that I have never met you in person but I am certain that I have encountered you through some mysterious communica-tion. I feel that I know you - through your thoughts and through the motion made by your movement.

I hope it is okay that I take a min-ute of your time. Maybe it is just my imagination – so I hope you will bear with me for a moment. I know this place – or at least I think I do. I don’t know exactly how to put it but to begin with there is nothing wrong. The thing is tha t there is nothing that makes this a special situation and I am almost certain that there is nothing to worry about. Come to think of it - this situ-ation is not any different to other situ-ations that I can think of. The people are ordinary people. The houses are all with roofs and windows and proper doors. The streets have trees and there are shops. The little girl is a normal girl with a mom and dad. There are schools and people go to work. Okay, there is a kitten stuck in a tree but that shouldn’t alarm us. It is to be expect-ed. There is absolutely nothing that I can see what should alarm us.

So why do I say “to begin with there is nothing wrong” and “I am almost certain that there is nothing to worry about”. You have probably already noticed it and you have seen the title because it is quite big. Size 18. I saw it too and I am sure that it is my im-agination but I am beginning to think; what if there is something not right about the whole situation. Could it be that something is about to change? If I am right then the situation could eas-ily take a turn for the worse and then



‘Instant urbanity’, 2014. Chalk on blackboard, Peter Lundsgaard Hansen.

River to the other side on the raft.However just when everything

seems to be ready it hits them that the raft doesn’t have a name. How could they forget? Mr.3 explains that they will never get across the river if the raft doesn’t have a proper name. The little girl and the boy are caught by total surprise and for a minute things could go either way.

To their luck Mr.3 reassures them that folks forget to give their vessels a proper name all the time and the cer-emony can be done quite easily. He suggests that they call it ‘The African Queen’.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard this part of the story. I love that

film! What a coincident, don’t you think? You may think nothing of this name but Mr.3 is an old film buff and he remembers the film from 1951 star-ring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Amazing fellar- this Mr.3 is. I hope to meet him one day.

Soap bubbles And so it is. The little girl and the boy can’t believe their luck. They are going on a Viking voyage across the Amazon River aboard ‘The African Queen’.

They set off full of anticipation and confidence. The weather is so calm that the man with the soap bubbles turns up. He parks his car by the old chim-ney like he has done so many sundays

before, and from the car he pulls out a folding table and a chair. Everything is just like it should be.

I must apologize. I know I promised you that I would only take a moment of your time and I know you have other - more important - matters to think of. I’ll let you get on with your business now. I can pop in later and tell you more. My hope is that this situation isn’t that bad anyway! I certainly am beginning to feel pretty good about the whole thing, you see.

Yours truly Anti Territory



‘Instant urbanity’, 2014. Chalk on blackboard, Peter Lundsgaard Hansen.

The Sugar Plant Territory

wishes to be an experimental Garden for new urban development.

Objectives of the workThe studio aims to plan, programe and design for a sustainable Sugar Plant Territory in Groningen and thus one important challenge of the work will be to identify where and how to develop and transform this urban landscape.

Three overall themes must be ad-dressed:1. The connection to a general urban context and the city centre in particular.2. The urban spaces and their mutual relations. Climate and recreational space.

The Sugar Plant is situated vest of the city centre of Groningen

The aim of this studio is to design and plan for a future urban trans-formation for The Sugar Plant Ter-ritory, Groningen.

The assignment for the Sugar Plant Territory is to combine designs for in-terventions in urban structure, public space, transformation process (includ-ing landscape interventions), and de-velopment possibilities with a vision for needs like infrastructural improve-ments. There are no existing housing or commercial problems that would determine the programme. The ques-tion is maybe how to tempt the market to invest in a new, preferably profitable (what is profitable?), use of space and thus ultimately redevelop the site.

The program/design should consider the following overall issues; how can landscapes contribute to urban devel-opment? Should the transformation

focus on process rather than result? Can the design for an iconic building set of the process and what are the merits and disadvantages of these op-tions? The studio is invited to explore (a combination of) these possibilities.

3. Access and identity. Affiliation.The proposal should consider the

possibility for future housing, sustain-able rainwater management, acces for walking and bicycling, publig trans-portation, leisure, temporary use, a fu-ture bridge across the canal and urban frabric.

The proposal should display a vi-sionary design; combining history and contemporary culture - ecology, econ-omy and technology.

The circular boundary indicated on the illustration marks the general ter-ritory. The square marks the hole for your models to fit in.

The program is open. The scale and the context is debatable through the design.

Note. This assignment text draws inspi-ration from the Europan 12 competition program for the transformation of an area just opposite the Sugar factory.


“an experimental Garden for new urban development”

“The program is open.The scale and the context is debatable through the design”City strategy – ‘an experimental

Garden for new urban development’The city is seeking to enhance even further its present position as the urban centre par excellence for the immediate region with almost a half million people. As a university city with a leading university, it also wish-es to be known as a City of Talent where young people can sample the Tree of Knowledge and as a Health City with Healthy Ageing as its spear point. And with the other partner in Energy Valley it wants to play a key role in the turntable of sustainable energy and also have a neutral envi-ronmental impact at a project level. With increasingly fewer of its own development planning opportunities and situated in an area with increas-ing population shrinkage, Groningen




The way we work I

Simple research model from a fieldtrip.

Presentations and discussions of design models. The way we work is through putting individual models and group models in the hole of the big model. This is our laboratory and this is where we rate and talk about the qualities of the design work. We set up simple work zones when we travel - in this case - in the old factory of The Sugar Plant, Groningen.

Abstract model. We travel with a model box and we have meetings and talks while we are on the move.

The way we work is by repeating the same model and drawings through-out the course. We do this while we talk, travel, listen, read, draw and evaluate. MEMO is an abbreviation for; Model, Engagement, Movement and Observa-tion. The theory is: we make models because we work with space. We make them in order to engage with matter. The movement made from working with models help us observe and en-able us to make new and better draw-ings and models.

When we work with models and drawings they never exactly look alike. This is because they are feeding off of each other (through us) – one al-ways making the other adjust a little.

The methodWe use Google earth, maps, film and other representative medias to recre-ate the urban landscape of Groningen. We will build analogue model (we will build them in our Model Lab) of Gron-ingen. During the building of the mod-

el we will rate qualities of the urban landscape and the possibilities for new development as qualified as possible.The big model (the context model) will have a hole where we test and de-velop our ideas. The hole determines part of the project site.

During our work with the design we use the walls and floors of the school to exhibit our work in progress. The exhibition wall is where we meet our imaginary client and where we let go of our fear of showing all the mistakes we have to make before we are satis-fied with the result.

Engagement. Think of a crime scene and of working on a murder case. Who is the murderer? In real life we try to recreate the scene of the crime through movement. We do this while we narrow in on a motive. The motive is important because it can reveal the murder.

When we work in the studio we feed off models so to speak, because the movement we create makes us able to engage in our work. In planning we call the motive; issues (problem for-mulation) and the scene of the crime; the site.

The observations we make when we work we document, evaluate and talk about. Observations that give us new knowledge and new possibilities are what we are looking for. We often call them the little mistakes because they

often show themselves in a drawing or a model as something that just doesn’t fit in the big picture. So look out for them!

Besides working digital we work with two types of different models. Simple modelsThere is a substantial advantages in building simple physical models. The investigative and inquisitive models have a central role in the process of analysis and design. They empower ideas, concepts and programming.

We repeat the simple model again and again.

Abstract modelThe first (and often the last) model we work with when we engage and try to understand our own work or other works of landscape architecture is even more simple. The model is abstract and we carry it with us in a model box. We can build this type of model anywhere.

Big model

In order to strengthen and qualify the way we discuss and evaluate our work in the context of a greater urban landscape we use a big model to test our arguments by putting our simple concept models in a big context model. We then repeat the process while we work on our digital plans, visualiza-tions, sections, text and so forth.

To read more about the way we workhttp://www.fusion-journal.com/issue/003-fusion-the-studio/the-sim-ple-model-method-creating-steep-learning-curves-in-academic-design-studio/

“we feed off models”


The way we work II

Daniel Lund Sørensenand Niels-Christian Mariager

Pedersen

l a n d s c a p e p l a n n i n g 2 0 1 4 • pa g e 1 2u n i v e r s i t y o f c o p e n h a g e n

Landscape architecture students in the city of Steel - Frederiksværk


STEELSCAPEPROCESS DIARY

The unique historical site that de-

to Arresø and Roskilde Fjord, the -

hind the main pedestrian street and the canal has drawn attention to teachers and researchers from The University of Copenhagen. Consequently the University has organized a planning laboratory in Frederiksværk. The student projects will be a supplement to the competition that takes place later this year.

Until the end of June 60-65 stu-dents from Denmark and the world will be working intensively with a transformation of Frederiksværk.

The overall design question is how Frederiksværk can be trans-formed within the following themes;

1. The connection between the water and the urban environment. Sustainable landscapes.

2. The urban spaces and their mutual relations. Climate and rec-reational space.

3. Access and identity. -

tion.The aim is to work with both

innovative and traditional solu-tions in a design for a sustainable urban process in Frederiksværk. Throughout the course at team of Landscape architects, teachers and researchers from The University of Copenhagen will follow and sup-port their work.

The studio entail travel, res-hearch and work into a wide range of exemplaty sites in Barce-lona, Spain.

This paper will work as the stu-

dents dairy, where they each week upload their work, to share with orthers and to show the overall process of their work. One spread corresponds to one week of group work. In the end, this paper will show how the students have gone from analysing and a con-cept in week one, to having a com-plete masterplan and design pro-posal in the end of their journey throgh Frederiksværk.

Landscape architecture students in the city of Steel - Frederiksværk


STEELSCAPEPROCESS DIARY

The unique historical site that de-

to Arresø and Roskilde Fjord, the -

hind the main pedestrian street and the canal has drawn attention to teachers and researchers from The University of Copenhagen. Consequently the University has organized a planning laboratory in Frederiksværk. The student projects will be a supplement to the competition that takes place later this year.

Until the end of June 60-65 stu-dents from Denmark and the world will be working intensively with a transformation of Frederiksværk.

The overall design question is how Frederiksværk can be trans-formed within the following themes;

1. The connection between the water and the urban environment. Sustainable landscapes.

2. The urban spaces and their mutual relations. Climate and rec-reational space.

3. Access and identity. -

tion.The aim is to work with both

innovative and traditional solu-tions in a design for a sustainable urban process in Frederiksværk. Throughout the course at team of Landscape architects, teachers and researchers from The University of Copenhagen will follow and sup-port their work.

The studio entail travel, res-hearch and work into a wide range of exemplaty sites in Barce-lona, Spain.

This paper will work as the stu-

dents dairy, where they each week upload their work, to share with orthers and to show the overall process of their work. One spread corresponds to one week of group work. In the end, this paper will show how the students have gone from analysing and a con-cept in week one, to having a com-plete masterplan and design pro-posal in the end of their journey throgh Frederiksværk.


The way we work III

The StudioIn the studio called Versailles a lad-der across a gaffa tape boarder (on the floor) marks a special work zone -the Gaffa zone - this is where The Big Model is. This 3x5 m square is on the floor of Versailles, Model Lab and Skallingen and is the experimental ter-

Entry

chairs and tables

gaffa tape - work zoneladder

3 stuffed birds

bricks and copplestone

collums

studio kitchen

tables

table on wheels

projector

plantmodelbox

projection on floor

VerticalProjection

table on wheelsladder

The Big Model

The Big Model

ritory of Groningen. In this zone we can mix and experi-

ment with matter that normally seem non compatible - ex. fitting a stuffed bird, some bricks and a digital plan or film together and find new and unex-pected observations in our work. From what we find we can then go back to

our work outside the zone and incor-porate new ways of seeing into our design.

With the gaffa tape we can take this work zone with us when we need to. Here we work with all scales, with books, digital drawings and film pro-jected from the seeling down onto the

models we make, paper presentations, stufed animals, 1:1 examples of pave-ment stone and soil types, movies, etc.

We use the gaffa zone for presenta-tions and exhibitions - called Campfire Design Sessions.

Group

studio

Group

studio

Group

studio

Group

studio

Bench

HorizontalProjection


The studio Versailles and the Gaffa zone.

The Gaffa zone in Versailles is where we work with vertical projection. This allows us to project digital drawings, film medial, historical maps onto the floor of the studio, the Big Model or onto a light table. We then work di-rectly on the floor, the model or the table. When we are satisfied whit what we have we can take a picture of the plan and go back to work outside the Gaffa zone.

The way we work IV

The way we combine drawings and models aims to provide a platform for students, supervisors and other involved actors for the exchange of ideas and experience – individually and in groups - and for a solution-focusing strategy. Lastly, the method facilitates a key aim of the design studios: to increase the student’s ability to translate physical form (the model being a non-verbal agent) into a spoken language (creating an explicit awareness).

The way we work V


We can take the Gaffa zone with us wherever we go. We can test and express concepts, important components and the architectural language. The simplicity means that the student has to address key components, the architectural language and syntax. Working with the models is democratic in the sense that every student and supervisor can rearrange and rebuild collectively in an on-going dialogue but also without suffocating personal artistic expression and integrity. The ability to see and recognize spatial and structural quality becomes as important as being able to create.


The Sugar Mount

Fig: 01 Photomontage of the summer houses, the wotherfrom promenade, the urban square and the mount in 30 years.

In the western part of Groningen, the sugar industry has left behind immense brown land. That is a call for unusual and original urban planning. The sugar mount project is all about designing a landscape as a strong urban body to invent a new story for the town. Vision, concept and process are described below.

Europe saw the birth of the sugar beet industry during the first decades of the 19th century. Since then, the massive farming of Beta vulgaris spread all over Europe. In autumn, the harvest of huge amounts of beets is collected in piles along the fields, creating small temporary mounts. Today, European regulations and international competi-tion lead to the closure of these indus-

trial monuments. At Groningen, the urban ambition must match the im-mense urban opportunity, which is the result of the industry s disappearance. Through the construction of the true and perennial Sugar mount our pro-posal aims at writing a new chapter in the city’s book.

A mount for GroningenThe project aims at creating a unique and never seen landscape in the city

Group 1: By Fredrik Berggren, Nathalie Silvia Garancsy, Liangliang Lin, Antoine Magnon

of Groningen and north of the Nether-lands by achieving the creation of the Sugar mount in 25 years. Dominating the region by its 50m, such an iconic landmark will be known by all and across the country. The mount and its surroundings will attract hundreds of citizens every week through a diver-sity of activities –from leisure to work. The area will play a major role in the overall urban fabric.

A colossal effort for eternal benefitsFor more than a century, the West part of Groningen was dominated by the sugar industry, its smells and fumes. On 125 hectares, almost no marks re-main from the unpleasant former oc-cupant. The site is not far from being a blank page, literally. The scratch we can start from has already been mostly completed. However it is not a call for a violent tabula rasa but rather the op-portunity to tell a new story. Today, the municipality must take it to galvanize and influence the urban fabric’s future in a very positive way. Our proposal is not only sized for the strict project area and will benefit far beyond. The construction of a mount demands a colossal effort but has eternal benefits, such as: the city branding at a national scale (to keep attracting people despite the overall population decline); build-ing strong metropolitan relationship and position, (especially with Hoog-kerk); strengthen the city west periph-

“such an iconic land-mark will be known by all and across the country”

Fig: 02.b: mid term development (+15 years): 3- first foot of the mount, 4-com-pleted, 6- completed, 7- arts and crafts studios, 9- urban square

Fig: 02.c: long term development (+25 years): 3- mount achieved, 10-open to private funds investements.

Fig: 02.a: short term development (+7 years): 1- allotment gardens, 2- summer houses, 3- first mount layer, 4- outdoor sport facilities, 5- orchards, 6- Water-front promenade and bridge.

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4 6

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10


Fig: 04.d The wood embankment at the foot of the mount.

Fig: 03 Masterplan of the situation of the sugar mount area in 30 years.

Fig: 05 Section West/ East displaying the activities of the sugar mount area.

Group 1: By Fredrik Berggren, Nathalie Silvia Garancsy, Liangliang Lin, Antoine Magnon

ery (establishment of a green belt) and organize its limit; offer a symbolic and memorable place for all citizens. Planning back to front – strategyOur proposal challenges two major characteristics of the site -first its im-mensity and then its isolation- by es-tablishing a pattern of diverse func-tions according to a precise timeline. Three main stages give rhythm to the site’s new life (fig.02.a, b, c). The pro-ject bets on a progressive and increas-ing occupation of the site in order to

elaborate different attachments and frequencies of uses (from very regular and official to irregular and non-offi-cial). After 7 years, most of the con-structions will actually be plantations:

allotment gardens, summer houses, orchards, woods for sports and prom-enade will structure the site limits and offer a diversity of activities aim-ing at attracting and attaching a great amount of people. After 15 years, the foot of the mountain (urban square, outdoor theatre) is open to the public, arts and crafts studios are settled, the waterfront promenade and the woods for sports are completed. Finally, 25 years later (a 2 meter increase per year), the mount is completed. The ma-terials necessary to such an operation are collected across the region through a sustainable process (cleaning of con-taminated soil can also be considered). After 25 years, private investors have the opportunity to settle activities in the central part of the site. Short, mid and long-term objectives give strong outlines for the develop-ment of the entire area. The fig.03 gives a preview of the situation in 30 years. It emphasizes the key role of

the mount in the overall layout even though it is the last element complet-ed. Meanwhile, unoccupied areas are cleaned up of the concrete surfaces remaining from the industry and culti-vated into flowers meadows. This op-eration provides the first mount layers and regenerates the soil. Overall, the

project combines spontaneous veg-etation developments with tree plan-tations managed by the municipality and individual plant choices (summer houses and allotment gardens). These three typologies contribute to elabo-rate a diversity of atmospheres across the site (fig. 04.a,b,c,d and 05).

“elaborate a diversity of at-mospheres across the site”

1:3000

Fig: 04. a The climbing wall separa-ties urban square and wood sport fa-cilities.

Fig: 04. b The orchard.

Fig: 04.c The summer houses and the waterfront promenade.

C

C

DD

B

B

ALLOTMENT GARDENS

SUMMER HOUSES

ARTS AND CRAFTS STUDIOS

ORCHARD

SPORTS FACILITIES

CLIMBING AREA

CAFE

LAWN

LAWNWILD SLOPE

THEATRE

URBAN SQUARE

SQUARE

SQUARE

WOOD EMBANKMENT

WOOD EMBANKMENT

WATERFRONT PROMENADE

BMX FIELDBMX FIELDCLIMBING WALL

CENTRAL MEADOW

RA

ILW

AY

AC

ESS

ROA

D

THE MOUNT

CAFE

THEATER

URBAN SQUARE SUMMER HOUSES ALLOTMENT GARDENS

HIGHWAY

A

A


the different planted species and a gradual emergence of natural vegeta-tion will create a diverse green area with different spatial qualities. In this proposal we have worked with simple ideas to create new experiences in the area and make people aware of this special place. In that way our project will become a starting point for future development on site and in the indus-trial area around the sugar factory as well as create a vibrant link between the city centre and the open landscape.

Moving ForwardOverall the project consists of two areas each with their own identity. The areas borrow from and feed of each other through similarities and differ-ences, creating contrast and interrela-tion between them and transforming the site into a large urban park.

The Verge stands as our main ele-ment and key attraction of the site. With different vegetated areas and open spaces it facilitates many activi-ties and allows the visitor to explore and engage in many different ways.

The Plantation serves as the green backbone of the whole area supporting the waterfront and framing the pre-

Vooruit Groningen

Section Aa 1:500

A new permanent waterfront and a temporary plantation connects the Old Sugar Factory to the city cen-tre and the rural landscape. With the history as a starting point a slow transformation prepares and matures the site for future develop-ment.

The Old Sugar Factory is located west of the centre of Groningen. Groningen is the largest city in the northern part of The Netherlands and has one of the youngest populations due to the uni-versity. Right now most of the site is empty except for the buildings but the municipality plans to develop the area within fifteen years.

The site is bound by the canal to the north, the highway to the east, the railway to the south and the open landscape to the west while the sur-rounding area is largely dominated by industry.

An Urban ParkThe project aims at creating an urban park that respects and emphasizes the history of the place but also adds new elements and make the area attractive.

With different experiences and rec-

The factory building and the square seen from the Pinus grove.

Group 2: By Susie Frederiksen, Marie Glad, Camilla Kjærgaard Hansen

reational functions a new waterfront is the main element inviting people to engage and investigate or simply hang out in an informal green setting; it es-tablishes an identity and attraction for the area that will remain permanent through future development.

The tree plantation is a temporary space with focus on process. Here

ACanal The Verge Sightline framed by trees The PlantationIndustrial area

Process – origin of form. The design is inspired by the characteristic field pattern in the Dutch landscape trying to combine landscape imprint with urban structure.

Find inspiration in landscape

Interpret

Re–shape

Compress and simplify

Overview. Project area in context.

Stadspark

Landscape

Industrial/residentialarea

Industrial area

City centre

Highway and rail

Rail

Old Sugar Factory

Masterplan 1:4000. Vooruit means forward in Dutch. The proposal consist of a new waterfront and a large plantation re-connecting the site with the city and allowing people to move forward into the landscape and the site into the future.

A

aWooden deckLawnFlowering perennials

Line of GleditsiaGroves of different speciesPoplar mix N

Existing vegetation

Hard paved landscape bend towards the canal

Open space for events

Changing rooms and showers

Deck chairs

Raised wooden deckwith benches

Existing pavement

Fire places

Trampolines

Skate

Acces road

Pedestrian and bicycle crossing

Main path

Main path

Football goals

Main path Sportfields and parking

Rail stop

Old factory buildings

Trees in plantholes in existing pavements or with undervegetation of meadow grass

The PlantationThe Square

Trees in existing vegetationThe Plantation

The Plantation

Canal

The Stand

The BasinBathing area with shallow water

Link to city and landscape

Pedestrian and bicycle connection

New waterline

Bollards

Bollards

The Verge

Pinus grove

Robinia groveGleditsia grove

Prunus grove

Gleditsia grove

Populus canescens grove

D

B

C

A


Transformation strategyThe site already has quite a strong sense of place but in order to realize any visions for the site and this pro-posal in particular the site needs to be re-connected with its surroundings. The planned pedestrian and bicycle bridge is an important link in this pro-cess along with a proposed stop on the railway and a pedestrian crossing un-der the highway.

The Verge serves as a fix point and brand in order to create an identity and attraction for the area. It is the main

The Verge looking south east towards The Square. Pushing down the terrain draws the water in to the site and activates the canal. A pedestrian and bicycle path leads straight through the area connecting to the landscape and the city. It creates a sightline clearly marked by a row of trees. From behind The Plantation reaches out and grabs a hold of the waterfront keeping it in place and connecting it to the open square and the old factory building.

Group 2: By Susie Frederiksen, Marie Glad, Camilla Kjærgaard Hansen

served buildings as well as mediating their scale. The plantation underlines the site as a park where different trees grow in a mix of the existing pave-ments and grass meadow.

The open character of the site is val-

ued and through tree species with light canopies, groups of trees with differ-ent characters and a fairly large plant-ing distance a transparency is kept. On the whole site materials and vegetation are used to emphasize the merge of ur-ban spaces and open landscape creat-ing the desired experience.

Not proposing housing development now allows the site to transform slowly and develop its new identity as an inte-grated part of the city. By giving way to this process and acknowledging the plantation as a temporary space the proposal seeks to prepare the site and make it even more attractive for resi-dential development in the future.

design area where waterfront and ter-rain is re-shaped activating the canal by inviting people to engage with the water. On the southern part of the site interventions are simple and the pro-posal engages directly with the exist-ing layer in a green structure.

Together The Verge and the Planta-tion seeks to generate some of the char-acteristics of urban temporary spaces in order to clarify existing and new potentials in this interrelation between permanent and temporary drawing out activities such as skate, football etc.

Around the existing buildings The Square provides possibilities for e.g. different cultural events and tempo-rary installations.

The proposal works with the ex-isting historic layer adding new ele-ments to create an urban park in keep-ing with the dynamic city. Through a gradual transformation it focuses on process both considering landscape architecture and general public mind set starting with what we find today and working towards what will hap-pen in the future.

“Transform slowly”

Grove of Robinia Old factory building Railwaya

Old chimney

The three elements of the design; historic layer, waterfront and temporary green space. The main goal of the proposal is to preserve the historic layer and create a new identity, attraction and brand along with a connection between city and landscape. The three elements are combined in an urban park where the suspense between permanent and temporary creates a vibrant area with space for people to take interest and engage.

The Plantation

Factory buildings

Old pavement

New waterline

Concrete paving

Planting holesStructuring line of trees

Mix of Poplar

Grove

Wooden deckPlatforms with vegetation

The Verge The PlantationExisting layerConnection

Connection

Principle sections 1:500. Four different situations where terrain meets the water surface along the new waterline.

25 ‰ 83,3 ‰

25 ‰

25 ‰

750 ‰

25 ‰ 83,3 ‰

83,3 ‰

D

B

C

A


Where Two Lines are Meeting

Indian Sunset

Diagram of the sites context, its conections, hard surfices, vegetation areas and water.

The Floating Culture Factory is a project, creating a new cultural core in the west of Groningen. Two promenades along the canal provide a backbone for the area and open it up for the public. They also con-nect the site with the city center and Stadspark.

Two buildings and a chimney are the only remnants of the old sugar plant industrial area. The site is located at the western border of Groningen, a city in the north west of the Nether-lands. The site has an approximate size of 18 ha.

In it’s current economic state, the city is not in need of new business, housing or industrial development. As we learned from our visit to the site, there is already an overwhelm-

Group 3: By Audrey Atchade, Norman Heidoetting, Monika Rekos

ing request to use the area for cultural events.

CoreA cultural center will be installed in the old buildings in order to create a core for the area. Besides that, the main functions of the area are to create interesting and pleasant spaces for rec-reational purposes and events, as well as an east west connection between the inner city and the rural surround-ings of Groningen and a north south connection from the northern bank of the canal to Stadspark.

The central area of the project will provide space for events, theatre, exhi-bitions and concerts. It will also house restaurants, clubs and space for studi-os and workshops. The smaller build-ing will be extended and space for new buildings is included in the planning. The center will become a magnet for Groningen’s young and creative citi-zens.

Two LinesThe two main pathways of our pro-ject guids the people along the canal towards the core and connect it with the former flooding fields and the in-ner city. They as well break the edge of the southern canal bank abreast to the

core. This way they create even more attention for this area. At this point, next to a new wide open water area, stairs created for sitting will invite the visitor to linger. To make this 6 meter wide promenade like paths even more visible, it will be paved with a white marbel. A new path system will pro-vide plenty of access possibilities for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles.

WaterThe project is framed by canals in the north and south as well as a third canal connecting different water areas of the site with each other. Water is used for recreational purposes such as swim-ming and reflecting. It provides a link with the inner city and the Stadspark and seperates the site from the south-ern industrial aera and the traintrack.

MosaicA mosaic of different shaped polygons made of bricks, water or of 3 different vegetation mixes, will create a carpet for the new culture center. It is inspired by the mosaic of the Dutch landscape and with a topographic difference of up to 75cm, it will provide an interest-ing open space for relaxation and en-tertainment.

“...pleasant spaces for recreational purposes and events...”

Masterplan in 1:3000

spontaneous vegetation

bee forge meadow

Summer Wind water baslat paving stone

marbel paving stone

brick wood

Logo with the two lines linking the in-ner city and the wet fields.

The orchard


Visualisation of the cultural center and market.One of the weekly events..

Section no.6 The site in front of the building Scale 1:250

Section of the Promenade by night. Scale 1: 100

Group 3: By Audrey Atchade, Norman Heidoetting, Monika Rekos

PlantsIn the mosaic perennial mixes with a rich variety of height, color and struc-ture will be used. Chosen for their at-trectivness and long flowering period. The species selection provides a vari-ety of autumn colors and some inter-esting structure remains in the winter.

The high amount of grasses and other hardy perennials expending the showtime to almost the whole year. Some mosaic parts just use existing vegetation. A bee forge meadow with fruit trees and Betula pendula will be

plant hight in m mixes color timeIndian Sunset 0,1 - 1,40 yellow, oragne, red II - X

Summerwind 0,1 - 1white, yellow, light

blue, purpleII - X

Kiepenkerl Bee Forage Plants pro no 4590

0,15 - 0,8 yellow, blue, red VII - XI

TreesPrunus avium var. up to 30 white IV - VPrunus domestica subsp. Domestica up to 10 white to green white IV - VMalus domestica elstar 8 to 15 white to pink IV - VPyrus communis up to 15 white IV - VBetula pendula 10 to 25 green- yellow IV - V

flower

Where two lines are meetin. A visualisation of the promenads and the cultural cernter.

Section no.8 The end of the conection to the Stadspark. Scale 1: 250

Section no.1 The island of memory. Scale 1:250 Section no. 9 The end of the prome-nade. Scale 1:250

Section no.3 Southen edge of the site. Scale 1:500

created. In the space between the mo-saic and the wet fields in the west we will plant water tolerant plants.

IlluminationAs the area is supposed to be used day and night, the edges of the topography will be highlighted at night by indirect light, which is also used to illuminate the permanent seating. Spots in the bricks as well as in the water will em-phasise the pattern and the importance of the water.

Plantlist References for path ilumination.


for future development. The element that strikes us most about the site is its proximity to the city and how sim-ply with design invention connections can be made with various regions of Groningen. A place where water and vegetation can meet and people will converge for recreational and living purposes.

Response to siteA green corridor and public prom-enade through the site will increase accessibility and connectivity. These definitive routes allow fluidity across and through the site. The green corri-dor connects the northern sports and residential areas with Stadspark in the south. The public promenade connects Groningen city in the east with the

Westerbruut

Westerbruut masterplan illustrating the proposed canal profiles, building footprint, green corridor through the site, public promenade, public open spaces and green structures.

Water structure

Groningen boasts the largest per-centage of students per population in the Netherlands. One in four identify as students. The local mu-nicipality and universities encour-age and anticipate further growth in student numbers. Students today want to live inner city in affordable housing options. They require good infrastructure, mobility and opti-mal transport systems.

Analysis of the site has unveiled the potential of the former Sugar Plant Territory as a new residential zone. Westerbruut creates a hub whereby the city, university campuses and open spaces beyond the site can be con-nected. Four main strategies are used to drive the design process: activat-

Group 4: Cinta Gomez, Diana Avery, Milan Moldenhawer, Søren Lahn

“The element that strikes us most about the site is its proximity to the city... ”

Site developmentSite context Green structure

1:3000

north existing trees: oak, willow

medium growth:hawthorn, willow

green corridor: poplar

orchard: apple,pear,cherry,blossom

public promenade: oak, thornless honeylocust, robinia,acer

garden village // family housing

kindergarten

public bathpublicaccommodations

green corridorex. house boats

eendractskanaal

station // offices

community clusterpublic square chimney

grove

terrace

workshops // student housing

culture house // student club

structured:hornbeam,robinia

library

laan highway

path

de wolkenfabriek // for-mer sugar plant parking

ferry terminalkayak club

ferry terminal

cafe

local business

existing vegetation

alotments

green corridor

existing treesproposed trees

canalsstormwater management

ferry terminals

family housing

student housing

allotments

commercialresidential

existing

sports area

open landscape

university

city centre

stadspark

hoendiep

parking

A

a

energieweg

student housing

waterfront residences car access

public promenade

public promenadesupermarket

green corridor

flower market

mixed housing

small growth: acer,herbaceous perrenials, grasses

ing site, connecting site, city and sur-rounds, flexibility and adaptability of design implementation. An optimal siteWe wish to activate the area using a dynamic program in which the con-struction and evolution of the design can be implemented gradually.

The existing site can be improved im-mediately and the design response evolve through stages of recreating and enhancing the site in preparation

open landscape in the west. Local planning guidelines discour-

age using vehicles as the primary mode of transport. The green corridor and public promenade prioritise cycle paths and walkways. Public transport hubs will be installed connecting site with city and municipalities beyond. A train station connects directly with Central Station and two ferry termi-nals. The existing canal provides a strong grounding element to the site. As a result the design draws water down into the site. These lines of wa-ter contribute to the quality of location and residential zones. They also cre-ate alternative access routes and areas for recreation.

In addition to these transit lines a se-ries of new streets and lanes will con-

car access


View of canal, waterfront residences and water edge.

A new urban residential zone intergrated into greater Groningen. View from De Wolkenfabriek (former Sugar Plant) rooftop looking across the site illustrating the green corridor, proposed canal structures, residential and recreational zones.

1:500 Section aA illustrating traffic routes, green structures, buildings and canal structures.

Group 4: Cinta Gomez, Diana Avery, Milan Moldenhawer, Søren Lahn

1:500 Detail plan illustrating community cluster and shared square.

main canal green corridor workshops // student housing waterfront residences groningen city public promenade allotments

private garden

family housing

mixed housing workshops streetcanal canal water frontstreet

tribute to accessibility and connectiv-ity across the site with parking spaces provided. These lines of connectivity will extend beyond the boundary to meet with inner city amenities, muse-ums, atttractions, university and crea-tive institution facilites.

The new urban zone will consist of combined housing typologies that ca-ter to 25% of students. Leaving the remainder to cater to a variety of in-habitants. Ranging from affordable mixed use apartments, workshops and studios to waterfront residences. Pub-lic buildings will include a library, cul-ture house and kindergarten.

Different housing densities will rep-resent different community clusters. These include houses with private gardens, water frontage, higher den-sity housing with shared community squares, local community shopping centres including retail and services.

New and improved vegetation will provide areas for recreation and re-laxation. Street trees will enhance the green corridor and public promenade. Other green structures will include the public square, small courtyards and plazas, private gardens, alotments and public open areas of vegetation.

table tennis

rest place

local business

community centre

rooftop gardens

street

grass

asphalt

tile clinkers

grass reinforcement

pond

parking

waterfront residences

canalexisting veg-

etation

plaza

bbq area

bike parking

supermarket


and south of the site (See ill.2). The new urban development project

‘Park Kwekerij’ merges the poten-tial of both scenarios and supports a flow that is linking existing urban and green areas in Groningen. At the same time the site will provide a different character to the city that can be ben-eficial on a longer term and develop in different levels. The unique spatial experience of a tree nursery creates an urban park there is in the threshold be-tween monotony and dynamics. This park becomes a new typology in the experience of different landscapes and landuses on the city edge between city and agriculture and a strategic tool to create a new identity for the area as a public space and an area for activities and living.

Tree nursery as strategySince The Municipality of Groningen has no plans to build on the area in

Park Kwekerij

Ill.1 ‘Park Kwekerij’ Masterplan 1:3000

Ill.5 Build structures around the greenhouses create new urban envi-ronments.

Ill.4 Over time different public spaces occurs and new paths crack through the grid structure of vegetation.

Ill.3 A new production landscape is created as an urban nursery with trees new infrastructure, and greenhouses.

Ill.2 The site is linking existing urban and green structures.

‘Park Kwekerij’ creates an urban landscape based on a tree nurs-ery that transforms through time.Monotone and dynamic spatial qualities will develop and social city spaces and relations between the site and the city will emerge.

An industrial production leaves traces, that can be used to emphasize founda-tion funded qualities and develop into new opportunities. This intervention at the former sugar factory site in the west part Groningen introduces an urban tree nursery as a concept for a dynamic way to create spatial qualities there is beneficial in a temporary con-text and will develop a green structure where buildings can be implemented as a part of the production process.

In a city contextThe site is located in the western end of Groningen in an industrial area and

is defined by its edges which are creat-ed by strong infrastructural elements

as well as natural structures as the ca-nal and a wetland area. The analysis of the sugar factory area reveals the po-tential of a site that today has limited access, to be a new focal point in the urban fabric.

The Green link define the area to-gether with the existing romantic park ’Stadsparken’ south of the area and the wetland fields in the western edge as a larger recreational area there is ac-cessible from various parts of the city.

The Urban link defines the potential of an urban structure that will connect residential areas in the city edge with the housing in the inner city through the business/commercial areas north

within the first 15-20 years, makes it possible to work towards a temporar-ily use of the area in a way that en-hances existing ecological and social processes on the site and contain a pro-gram for future residential areas.

The tree nursery planting is used as an urban development strategy that both supports the municipality with a “tree supply” for other development projects and contains an evolving identity and green urban environment in itself. Development of the gridBy introducing the nursery as prin-ciple for the strategic development, a massive green grid structure is filling up the space where the sugar produc-tion once was taking place.

Rows of young tress of varying spe-cies are planted in production lines in monoculture sections with a variation in width. At the establishment stage

Inner CityUrban LinkGreen Link

Site

Wet Fields

Stadspark

City Edge

Group 5: By Lisbeth Feldskou, Matilde C. Gomes, Nicolai L. Mortensen, Rasmus W. Pedersen

Existing vegetation

Existing vegetation

Wet Fields

Meadow Cluster

Water Cluster

FactoryClusterChimney

Boardwalk

Bridge

Hoendiepcanal

House boats

ForrestCluster

Laan 1040-1945Highway

Main road

Path

Main road

Event Spot

Existing building‘De Wolkenfabriek’

Garden areaExisting buildingSport facilities

Railway

Activity Square

Parking

N

“New focal point in the urban fabric”


the plantings will already create lines and open spaces that will be more vis-ible as the trees grow. To contrast the straight lines, areas with existing veg-etation is kept to have a green struc-ture that correlates to the story of the factory and the existing buildings, and to have bigger vegetation elements from the beginning. New spaces will emerge and develop as the grid is transforming by thinning or replant-ing of the trees. That way, areas with dense planting will appear as a volume compared to areas where tree groups or solitary trees are created by a mas-sive thinning in the green grid. To fa-cilitate the removing and replanting of trees, water trenches and production paths is implemented in the green sys-tem and clarifies that the green struc-tures also have a practical purpose (See ill.8A-G.).

The site plan suggests a stringent layout of planted rows for production

Ill.6 Zoom of the masterplan 1:1000, showing the relation between building clusters and the dissolved nursery grid

Ill.7 Visualization depicting the dissolving nursery structure, existing reminiscences are still visible

Group 5: By Lisbeth Feldskou, Matilde C. Gomes, Nicolai L. Mortensen, Rasmus W. Pedersen

purpose. The infrastructure is imple-mented as initial cracks in this struc-ture which create circulation on the site and a hierarchy of pathways where new connections to the surrounding city and landscape are established.

The cracks is used to create vari-

ous situations in the perception of the nursery plantings as well as a method to secure low speed movement of cars in the future residential setting.

The scheme for new buildings intro-duces four urban islands which each has their own ‘local’ identity. Attached to the northern crack the buildings in the city islands create a dense cluster around an inner common public space and a porous edge towards the declin-ing nursery structure. Thereby the city islands interact with the surroundings

in more levels creating variations in the public and private space around them.

The city islands are developed around the greenhouses used in the establishment of the nursery. The greenhouses are used as a driver for creating urban environment in the clusters as they can be used for public matters after the nursery is established and become a strong common space where activities and new initiatives are placed around (See ill. 6).Green temporalityBy using trees and bushes as building elements supports the idea of tempo-rality where the site is “empty” until built on in 15-20 years. That way the area is in an on-going process with value from the beginning and some-thing to offer the users.

The existing factory building, De Wolkenfabriek, is a strong stakeholder in the process where activities are al-

ready taking place and these local ac-tors can help kick start new initiatives on the area. The plantings in close re-lation to the building are used to fa-cilitate this, e.g. the café in De Wolk-enfabriek can use the orchard and kitchen garden to supply the kitchen.

Attraction can also be created by the species of trees around the site. By planting trees with different qualities and characters the seasonal change can be utilized and creates a frame around an arrangement. That could be a spring festival when all the cherry trees are blossoming or an autumn gathering where the sweetgum creates a fiery red scenery where apples can be picked.

That way the trees can fill out the void until buildings are implemented on the area with fully grown trees.

Ill.8C Activity square

Ill.8G Clearings

Ill.8E Orchard of mixed species

Ill.8D Plantation and volumes

Ill.8F Solitary trees

Ill.8B Raised terrain around clusters

Ill.8A Water trench and production lines

Larch group

Clearing

Thinned Birch plantation

Main road

Existing vegetation

Community greenhouse

Public terrace

Raised plateau

CanalBoardwalk

Oak groups

Oak plantation

Cherry plantation

Locust group

Hazel bushes

Solitary pinetrees

Water trench

Parking area

Community greenhouse

Shared space

Birch plantation

“Greenhouses are used as a driver”

N


formed by two axes connecting the site with the city and the wetlands. To-gether with the factory buildings and the bridge these axes define a dedi-cated area, in which hubs of creativ-ity (‘Het Suikerplein’) and recreation (‘Hoendiep-Park’) are created.

The two axes manifest as “The Promenade” and the “Park Path”, functioning as bicycle and pedestrian paths. The Promenade stretches along the Hoendiep Canal, providing a space for leisure with a view of the site and the water. The Park Path connects the dedicated area with the wetlands.

MaterialityHet Suikerplein consists of different typologies framing the factory build-ings and uplifting them to industrial monuments. Hoendiep Park slopes slightly downwards allowing the wa-ter to shape the park. This marks the transition of the cultivated landscape to the untouched wetlands.

The rough beauty of the post-in-dustrial landscape is emphasized by the use of refined materials such as black Dutch brick tiles, wooden decks and flowering trees. Also more rough materials such as gravel, corten steel, concrete and willows trees are used, in order to create a balance between the

Crossing Hoendiep

Masterplan

The Sugar Factory Site is a post-in-dustrial area that needs a new strat-egy, in order to develop into a profit-able site for urban transformation. The strategy in this project is to con-nect the site to the city of Groningen and create hubs of creativity and lei-sure as catalysts for urban develop-ment. We aspire to do this by mak-ing few but deliberate changes in the landscape.

The municipality of Groningen seeks to facilitate innovative uses of the Sug-ar Factory Site. To date there are a few bottom up initiatives e.g. a restaurant and temporary housing in the remain-ing factory buildings. To activate the area, the municipality has planned a bridge across Hoendiep Canal to make the site accessible.

Due to the university and the art academy, Groningen is thriving with creativity, bursting with small creative initiatives. Our project is inspired by this creative urge of the citizens. Art-ists and creative entrepreneurs are en-couraged to engage with the site, giv-ing it identity and new functions.

Landscape QualitiesThe design concept is inspired by the unique landscape features of the Sugar

Group 6: By Linda Bonde, Sidsel Genee, Julie Lysemose and Simon Kallenbach Rasmussen

Factory Site. While walking through the site, its story reveals itself through the remaining fundaments and floors of the demolished buildings. Where once were walls, willow and reeds break through the gravel, creating en-closures in the vast, rough landscape.

If left to natural succession, the terrain will become a post-industrial forest. Moving further to the west the re-mains of the former industrial basins have turned into lush wetlands with potential for rich biodiversity.

A structured design emphasizes these existing landscape qualities, framing the wilderness of the post-in-dustrial site. With the factory building as focal point the design unfolds, mak-ing the landscape accessible.

ProposalThe design proposal consists of few but deliberate and permanent interven-tions. The main structuring element is

old and the new. The same principle is used in the renovation of the building, adding glass facades and an atrium.

Het Suikerplein, Hoendiep-Park and The Promenade connect the area with the city of Groningen and create new public awareness of the Sugar Factory Site.

“With the factory building as focal point the design unfolds, making the landscape accessible”

Section

The Sugar Factory

railway

HET SUIKERPLEINwetlands

lake

city

post-industrial landscape

bicycle path


The PromenadeThe Park Path

Hoendiep Canal

HOENDIEP-PARK

existing

connections

dedicated areas

concept

Concept diagrams

A

A

a

a

Hoendiep-Park Hoendiep Canal

Promenade

atriumscenepillars pillar hallchimneyfountain post-industrial notch Prunus and Malus mixSalixSalix Prunusexisting Quercus

Het Suikerplein

GroveSquare The Sugar Factory (Restaurant and exhibition hall)

1:4000 N

1:1000


Zoom of plan showing the crossing between The Promenade and the dedicated areas. The bridge connecting the two main activity centers (Het Suikerplein and Hoendiep-Park) is the original catalyst of the transformation.

Group 6: By Linda Bonde, Sidsel Genee, Julie Lysemose and Simon Kallenbach Rasmussen

A view down The Promenade, showing the meeting with the square and the bridge.

Hoendiep Canal

bridge

fountain

wooden deck

brick tiles

concrete

concrete

Salix

Salix

Prunus

Energieweg

Prunus

Prunus and Malus mix

gravel

Malus

Malus

light pillars

pillars

light in surface

chimney

spiral stairsGROVE

SQUARE

HOENDIEP-PARK



lawn

path

path

high grasses

existing Quercus

existing Salix

PROMENADE

PARK PATH

1:750 N


Parking Parking

Masterplan 1:3000 - The water edge and surface along with the vegetation provide attractive surroundings for residents and visitors.

Section 1:400 from A-A’

An urban center with a main square. Residential areas for a wide range of citizens. Access to the site improved.

The main feature and serves as the structuring element.

A forest belt encloses the site. Urban vegetation provides appealing open spaces.

A

A’Industrial area

Hoendiep channel

Connection to city center

Path to Stadspark

Laan 1940-1945 Highway

Railway

Beach

Central square

Cultural center

Water front park

Wetland transition Courtyards

Shops and businesses

Shops and businesses

KindergartenLibrary

Fitness

Café

Forestbelt

100 M

NForestbelt

Trees Park areaLawn

Coppice Concrete squares

Wetland vegetation

Meadow Bushes Cube houses

Apartment building

Row houses

Wetland

Water edge structure

Conceptual layers

Urban profile Green composition

visitors. The water surface determines the overall shape of the design and is the structuring element of this urban extension. This structure is interrupt-ed by the new central square, which highlights the historic sugar factory and will serve as the centre of the site.

A new vegetation structure connects the site with the wetland in the west. ‘Urban waters’ forms a unique, di-verse urban area only two kilometres from the inner city of Groningen. Water edge structureWater plays a prominent role within the design, where the main features are three water bodies, attached to the Hoendiep channel. Introducing water into the site results in a dynamic living

Urban Waters

Urban waters provides a housing and landscape solution for the grow-ing population of Groningen. This urban extension experiments with the integration of water. The physi-cal remains of the former sugar factory form a central base within the water, urban and vegetation el-ements. This provides the residents and visitors with a variety of urban spaces and water experiences. The city of Groningen is located in the northeastern part of the Nether-lands and has undergone a population growth for the past decade (Groningen municipality, 2014:3). Providing the growing population with quality liv-ing environments is one of the chal-lenges Groningen faces.

A great opportunity arose when the municipality bought the former

sugar factory site located south of the Hoendiep channel, east of the city center. The factory dates back from 1914 and has played a significant role in the history of Groningen. The fac-tory was closed in 2008 and the area has been in little use since.

Urban watersThe design expands the existing wa-ter surface and edge forming a vary-ing and appealing environment. This environment provides an attractive neighbourhood along the water. The integration of water distinguishes this urban site from other areas in Gron-ingen.

Contrasting water edges ensure di-verse experiences for residents and

environment as the water adds recrea-tional and aesthetic values with a va-riety of waterfronts. These waterfront typologies define the accessibility, ap-pearance and function of the edges. (see typologies on next page)

The harbour edge has a hard con-crete appeal referring to the old indus-trial function of the site. The edge has a recreational function and some of the existing harbour front in the northeast is preserved. Steps are integrated in several places to make the water ac-cessible.

The private edge is only accessible for the residents living directly by the water. This allows homeowners to de-sign their own water edge and enables them to have a private dock.

“Contrasting water edges ensure a diverse experience for resi-dents and visitors”

Appartments with roof garden Brick roadSingle lane

Asphalt roadDouble lane

Semi-public courtyards

Group 7: By Nick Dyhr, Sara Folveg, Hulda Davidsdottir, Joost van Haaster


Brick road Row housing Parking

Edges

A visualization of the view from the water front park towards the central square.

Water edge typology explaining differ-ent edges and their locations.

require a higher maintenance and con-sist of lawns, bushes, solitary trees and flowerbeds. Residents and visitors are provided with a variety of public green spaces, offering possibilities for a wide range of activities.

TransformationIn the brief of this design challenge, the site is described as ‘an experi-mental garden for new urban develop-ment’ (Hansen, 2014: p6). The design ‘Urban waters’ experiments with the introduction of water into this ur-ban garden. It transforms the former industrial area into a new attractive neighbourhood by putting emphasis on the water, urban and green lay-ers while acknowledging the historic value of the sites former sugar pro-duction purpose.

ReferencesGroningen municipality (2014) ‘Sta¬tistical annual

review’, Groningen.Groningen municipality (2014) ‘Stedelijke Ecolo-

gische Structuur, de SES’ [Online]. Available from http://gemeente.groningen.nl/natuur/ses-als-fysieke-

ruimtelijke-structuur [accessed: 3 June 2014].J.A. van der Hoeve, R. Over¬beek (2009) ‘De Fri-

esch-Groningse coöperatieve beetwortelsuikerfabriek (suikerunie) van Heemskerckstraat 101,Groningen’,

Groningen/Utrecht.P. L. Hansen (2014) ‘Program for Landscape plan-

ning 2014’, University of Copenhagen. p.6.

The park edge gradually slopes to-wards a low sheet piling edge. The edge has a maintained appeal and peo-ple are able to make contact with the water.

The natural edge is characterized by vegetation suitable for wetlands. It slopes gradually and it is not possible for people to make water contact. The edge serves an ecological function and refers to the wetland in the west.

The urban profile Most of the old industrial buildings have been demolished. The remain-ing building (1915-1921) and chimney (1914) have a high monumental value (van der Hoeve, 2009:p28). These structures are kept as a strong historic reference to the site’s former use and for their aesthetic values. New devel-

opment will not exceed the height of the existing structures to emphasize their importance.

Three new building typologies are introduced; row housing with private gardens, apartments with shared roof terraces, and cube housing with a flex-ible design. This variation in buildings results in a diverse population, as there will be homes suitable for young peo-ple, families and elderly.

The green compositionWest of the sugar factory the former flow fields form a valuable wetland nature area with a good habitat for birdlife (Groningen municipality homepage, 2014). Together with the nearby Stadspark the wetland have a high recreational value. Accessibil-ity to these areas are improved with a new path system.

Different typologies which vary in function, species composition and maintenance are used to create con-trast between urban green and natural green. The forest belt surrounding the urban structure causes it to appear as a clearing in the forest. This forest is complemented by plantings consisting of water edge vegetation, meadows, coppice and scattered trees.

The urban green structure consist of semi-public courtyards, public park areas and street trees. These elements

“The forest belt sur-rounding the urban structure causes it to appear as a clearing in the forest”

Natural edge

Private edge

Harbour edge

Park edge

Parking Private garden Public water front park Cube housingBrick roadDouble lane

Group 7: By Nick Dyhr, Sara Folveg, Hulda Davidsdottir, Joost van Haaster


complex is now working its way up in form of vegetation retracing the out-lines of buildings, old roads and silos. Century old land divides are still trace-able under the layer of the factory vis-ible in directions and borders. Inspired by these patterns the stories of the site will be told through our design.

The natural succession taking over the site encloses the few trees planted purposely. By incorporation the exist-ing vegetation into new larger forested areas, we create a soft framework for

the grid system of the testing fields. The forest areas can be entered and add new recreational experiences. Testing and recreation Our concept combines creative and scientific experiments with a recrea-tional value for the public. Considering Groningen’s status as a student city, we see the site as an experimental sat-ellite for the two universities located in the city. The various sizes of the fields will facilitate a wide range of experi-

Testing Fields

Masterplan: A grid of testing fields engages larger masses of forest throughout the site. The old sugar factory is at the heart of a densified central area, connecting to the activated canal front.

Section A: From canal to factory through the densified central areas of the site. 1:500

Section B: A research station in the testing fields.

Exploded axonometric: The merging of historical layers inspires a concept that is realised and enhanced by interventions in landscape and architecture, providing new spaces, functions and recreational qualities.

Testing Fields is a site for full scale experiments in a public rec-reational context, working as a satellite for the universities of Groningen. Historical layers are combined with new interventions to create a contemporary design.

Influenced by the historical remains on the site, the location and Gron-ingen’s identity as a student city, the Testing Fields contribute new knowl-edge and enhances urban life by test-ing and experimenting in a framework of recreational elements.

Merging historical layersOur proposal is anchored in the histor-ical layers of the site. The characteris-tic remaining factory buildings are put to new use and a brick chimney stands out as a landmark and a reminder of the history of production. The tempo-rarily hidden footprint of the factory

Group 8: By Christian Henrik Ankerstjerne, Louise Juncher Lunde, Sebastian Naumann, Lærke Sophie Keil

1:4000

1:500

1:500

New facilities and built structures secure use and recreation

floating decks

swimming lake

pedestrian bridge

canal square

railway

pump house

open strucutre

pedestrian entrance

main entrance

pedestrian underpass

workshop village

old sugar factory

A

a

b

b

B

B

P

P

P

Presearch stations

pixel park

main acces road

open structureaccess to canal workshop village old factory chimney open square for events old factory building

southern overpass

activity areas

testing fields

Expansion of existing vegetation with new forest plantings.

Agricultural historical layer: Old field divides

Industrial historical layer: The sugar factory buildings and traces

Aa

N


ments. The exact use of the fields will not be dictated, instead a set of criteria will ensure that the conducted projects fit into a public recreational context.

Experiments should be varied and balanced, and could include research in fields such as: arts, architecture, agriculture, biology, civil engineering etc. For the public, the site will offer

constantly changing experiences de-pending on the current experiments, in some cases inviting public participa-tion. The site will also be able to host events, such as festivals, exhibitions, market days and open air cinemas.

In a smaller scale, the Pixel Park repeats the testing field pattern, facili-tating smaller experiments, creating an attractive recreational south facing square, connected to the activities in the sugar factory building.

The canal is activated and made ac-cessible along the entire water front via floating decks and pathways, enabling

Detail plan: The canal square links together the new pedestrian bridge, the water and the workshop enclave.

Group 8: By Christian Henrik Ankerstjerne, Louise Juncher Lunde, Sebastian Naumann, Lærke Sophie Keil

“...the site will offer constantly changing experiences...”

ther indoor activities, like workshops, small commercial functions and a study centre, will be located in the permanent low-rise buildings in the workshop village north of the factory. Along the canal, seven more or less open structures function as recreation-al shelters or as temporary research stations servicing the testing fields in the canal.

InfrastructureIntegrated in the grid structure of the testing field pathways ensure full ac-cessibility. The area will be accessible for the public on three strategic spots: at the bridge in the north, crossing the canal and leading straight to the canal square available for pedestrians and cyclists only. The main access road and the alley parallel to the highway are available for cars. The overpass for pedestrians and cyclists in the south, crosses the rail tracks and connects the site with the surrounding areas. Pedes-trians and cyclists have the freedom of choice in terms of moving within the site, whereas car access is merely granted on certain roads. The event square is shared space allowing access to the rest of the site, delivering goods and materials for the experiments and events.

By activating the old pumphouse, we recreate the streams of water running through the site, along the fields. Sur-facing in bassins in the events square and Pixel Park.1:500

Visualisation: a view from the testing fields east of the factory building, looking west towards the old factory chimney and the workshop village.

sitting steps

plinths

gravel

trees: Pinus, Gleditsia, Platanus Sorbus, Populus

gravel

concrete tile paving

commercial, workshops, study centre

commercial, workshops, study centre

plinths

boardwalk

open structure

new bridge

recreational activities and the expan-sion of testing fields into the water.

Built structuresResearch stations, consisting of clus-ters of containers, are situated in the junctions of the fields. Each cluster is shaped around a common meet-ing area. The research stations can be modified to fit ongoing tests, but also provide basic shared facilities. The clusters are anchored in the open landscape by hedges, creating smaller spaces and vertical structure in the open fields throughout the year. Fur-

N


A step-by-step development is a dif-ferent and flexible way to transform the site depending on investments and the citizen’s engagement. It provides short-term opportunities within the framework of uncertainty of the future and thereby takes into account the mu-nicipality’s program for the site.

Step 1: As the budget is low at this stage, the idea is to activate the area engaging citizens giving them the pos-sibility to rent a plot for urban farm-ing. Existing buildings and shelters for tools will be surrounded by a frame of fields, meadows and trees which con-stitute a strong landscape structure. Step 2: As money increase, housing

Agri-Unie

The transformation of the Suiker Unie site in Groningen addresses two main issues, first re-engaging the citizens with the site and sec-ondly preparing the area for future housing development. The “Agri-Unie” project aims to create a strong framework based on urban farming which will be built step-by-step for housing programs.

Groningen in the Netherlands has con-tinued to grow demographically, but the current economy appears to be very challenging considering tradi-tional planning. This stagnation of the housing market forces us to plan in a different way as we know that the site is supposed to remain without any pro-gram for the next 15-20 years and then be transformed into housing. There-fore, this project takes advantage of the site’s potentials in short-term pe-riod while preparing a flexible frame-work capable of absorbing a series of transformations for the needs of the future city.

StrategyThe site is located between agriculture (west) and the city (east). Our approach is inspired by the idea of an “ecotone”, meaning a transition area between two

biomes where ecologies are in tension. In this situation, the city and the ag-riculture will overlay and interact to create an “agri-city” where urbanity and fields meet. Thereby, the project allows citizens to enjoy the city life

style while being partly self-sufficient by producing their own food.

will be built allowing architecture and agriculture to merge. Step 3: Investment keep increasing and allow reaching the final stage of the design process.

Landscape structureInspired by the strict man made geom-etry of the field of the typical Dutch landscape, the design plays with these lines to create a project which dialogue with the surrounding agriculture.

A. By mutualising fields, the pro-ject creates large open spaces towards the canal. Citizens are responsible for their own plot and can use it for all kinds of urban farming. Different

“(...) short-term op-portunities within the framework of uncer-tainty of the future (...)”

Group 9: By Trine Baarsøe Pedersen, Melissa Svendson, Esben Elleby Snitgaard , Maxime Cloarec

Between agriculture and city Step-by-step developmentDesign inpiration from the fields

“Visualization showing the atmosphere of fields for urban farming right next to housing.”

City

Agriculture

15/20 years

Time

Money

0

final housing development of the Suiker Unie

+

+

revenues

housing development

activating the area urban farming

add values and program

“one step planning”

“one step planning”

site

site


sizes will correspond to the different needs: community fields, allotment

gardens and fields for experimenta-tion. To facilitate urban farming, shelters for tools will be implemented from the beginning. As the owners of each plot will be replaced through time, the fields become dynamic and experiences will constantly change. B. As a traditional way to divide fields, small ditches will be created and linked to the canal, they will also have the potential to handle storm wa-ter. C. Trees will define a clear organi-zation of the space. Rows of Populus tremula will emphasize the lines to-wards the canal. They will be planted next to the higher buildings as a com-plementary design choice while small-er rows of Salix alba will be planted in the future streetscapes. Moreover, orchards of fruit trees (Malus, Pyrus and Prunus) will constitute the public rooms between buildings and fields. D. Meadows, surrounded by trees,

Group 9: By Trine Baarsøe Pedersen, Melissa Svendson, Esben Elleby Snitgaard , Maxime Cloarec

1:1000 section west-east eslplanade / event / market place 2,3 storey building with courtyard community field / urban farming streetscape5,6 storey building

“(...) trees will define a clear organization of the space (...)”

D. Meadows before housing

“Landscape layers ”

“1:4500 Masterplan showing the final stage of the Suiker Unie site in Groningen.”

A. Fields for urban farming

B. Ditches dividing the fields

C. Trees organize the site

Populus

orchard

existing building

Salix

E. housing structure

hill

suiker unit

stage

community field

alley

toolshed

N

railway

canal

orchard

will require low maintenance and con-stitute open rooms which will then be transformed into housing. E. Building structures of 2, 3 and 5, 6 storey buildings will constitute five communities. 2 and 3 storey buildings are associated to courtyards whereas 5 and 6 storey buildings are directly connected to the fields. The building process is planned to ensure the final design of the site. The first two com-munities will be built around the va-cant industry buildings and later the rest of them as investment increase. Parallel with the building process, a hill will be created with the left over material from the building construc-tion and become bigger over time. Finally, the central part of the whole site will be transformed into a public space. By its dimension, it will allow potential investors and organizations to arrange specific events and activi-ties which cannot take place in the ex-isting public spaces in Groningen.

A

A’

courtyard

bridge

towards the

city center

promenade

allotment gardens

esplanade / event / market place

cows field

water reservoir

experimental fields


identifying key potential entry points, these linear connections were chal-lenged and broken down to allow for more visibility and accessibility, with the existing industrial tower as the fo-cal point for movement.

The ‘flowing path’The shape of the path has been in-

Linking Neighbourhoods

Masterplan of the three designed neighbourhoods in Groningen 1:3000. The plan shows neighbourhoods (primarily for students) characterized by different exist-ing elements; respectively the Water Front, Green Living and Remnants. A strong path system is linking the three different areas and is making the walk variated.

This paper investigates the site of the Sugar Plant Territory located near the centre of the city of Gro-ningen in the Netherlands. By con-necting different housing areas and spaces through a strong path sys-tem, the design hopes to integrate a large student population with an old agricultural site, while retaining its existing industrial charm.

The city of Groningen has a population of almost 200,000 people, of which 25% are students. The University of Groningen (Rijeksuniversiteit) and the Hanze University of Applied Science are the two higher educational institu-tions in the city and are both located within 4 kilometres of the old sugar factory site. Housing is often unaf-fordable for the large student popula-tion, which includes 3750 international students. The site’s close proximity to the city centre and nearby University facilities offers potential as a new stu-dent accommodation zone.

In the city of Groningen approxi-mately 50% of all trips within the city are made by bicycle, so easy access to bike lanes and bike parking are essen-tial in the urban scene.

Reconnect Isolated Site Barriers to pedestrian movement have isolated the site and connecting the for-mer sugar factory area to its surround-ings is seen as a vital step in bringing the site to life. Opportunities to repair these connections include a pedes-

Group 10: By Michael Alderman, Amra Ljubijankic, Sif Peiter Lund, Signe Lilleskov Nielsen

trian bridge over the canal (which is currently planned), a path under the major highway on the east and a link crossing the railway which leads to a large recreational park (Stadpark) to the south. Conceptual geometric con-nections were established based on the orientation of the existing buildings and paths that bordered the site. After

fluenced by the organic forms of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt Delta, which runs through Belgium and the Neth-erlands. The flowing path turns and weaves, like a delta, changing spaces and landscape as it meanders over the site. As the path turns, new view lines are created. Much like a delta carries and deposits sediment from upstream,

This diagram shows the concept with the three different neighbourhoods and a linking path between them.

The path is created by the criteria that the site links to areas that is sourrounding it and make the site more accesible.

Green living area: Defined path

Water Front area: Designated resting

Remnants area: Free roaming

Workshop

N

Remnants

Library and bookshop

Kitchengardens Orchards

Access to shopping and restaurants

Connection to Groningen city center

Connection to university

Connection to StadparkConnection to shopping

Connection to wetland fields

Event square for concerts

Market square

Pedestrian bridge

Green houses

Reading hall

A

a

Leftover spaces for vegetation and

natural selection

Car entry

Car park

Car park

Café

The water front

Green living

Wolkenfabriek Restaurant

Public square


the path carries pedestrian movement and provides stopping points and open squares besides its primary transi-tional function. This allows people to engage with the space beside the path, whether it is public buildings, recrea-tional areas or existing traces of the factory site.

New designated open spaces will also allow for opportunities to explore beyond this main transitional path and connect the broader site both visually and physically. Materiality is an im-portant tool in establishing boundaries between the primary pedestrian path and these intermittent resting points.

The flowing path is influenced by existing, but also new features spread throughout the site, including silo footprints, the factory building itself and a new library. These destinations hook and pull the path, promoting an engaging pedestrian experience. The organic shape of the delta is some-times challenged to accommodate a more geometric form. The scale of the site encourages varying path typolo-gies, with smaller ‘arteries’ breaking up some of the larger spaces created by the primary path. The edges, where the interactions between open path space and its surroundings occur, will have differing and interesting forms that will encourage varying experi-ences such as intermittent water chan-nels, sloping surfaces and vegetated retention beds.

In an effort to retain some of the ex-isting footprints and traces of the old factory landscape, large areas of open space were kept. The aim was to mesh some of the existing ground plain as ‘cut outs’, with vegetation and green-ways hinting at possible future spaces. These existing materials could also be used in future design to retain a sense of place, so that new built form belonged in this landscape. In this sense, the design is planning for the unplanned ways that people will use the site.

NeighbourhoodsThree condensed neighbourhoods have been established in the design, each with a defining character related to its context. To the west, new built form hooks onto the existing industri-al traces of the circular silo footprints. This form has been emphasized with the creation of a circular performance space lined by trees.

Along the waterfront a new set of buildings and spaces have been set onto a series of canals. The chang-ing heights of the paths, water level and bridging paths provide an engag-ing experience with built form. The eastern neighbourhood, inspired by existing vegetation, is seen as a green environment where the built form is closely connected to dense vegetation and has an easy access to greenhouses, orchards and kitchen gardens.

By controlling the size and form of the residential apartments there is a clear and measured understanding of the spaces created between each building. A combination of vegetation, paths and paved surfaces were used to conceive a variety of private and pub-lic spaces. In contrast, public build-

ings break free from the modular form to be visual markers for communal ac-tivity in each neighbourhood.

The orientation of these new build-ings offers a contrast to the flowing path, taking precedent from some ex-isting built form, aligned perpendicu-lar to the canal. Paths, parks, commu-

nity gardens and informal recreational activities inhabit the space between the new built form, while roof-top ter-races and balconies provide private spaces in the apartments.

Group 10: By Michael Alderman (kcr983), Amra Ljubijankic (cpb508), Sif Peiter Lund (fvc170), Signe Lilleskov Nielsen

Detail plan 1:500 of the flowing path going through the Water Front and the library area

Visualisation of the ‘flowing path’ entering a public space framed by the library and canal.

Alnus Glutinosa

Robinia pseudoacacia

Library and bookshop

Study hallStudent housing

Bikeparking

Benches

Benches

Courtyard

Grass lawn

Wetland vegetaion

Asphalt cycle path

Concrete pedestrian

path

Sitting area viewing the canal

Steps down to water

Library

Marking bike path

Wooden boardwalkWooden path

Submerged step

Concrete pathStudent housing

Roof top terasse

Canal

Shared space between buildings

Robinia pseudoacacia

Wetland vegetaion

Section 1:250 showing the Water Front area and the shift in materials in the public space


will attract a mixed user group. The old factory site becomes a link

between the city centre and the Stads-park by expanding the connections with easy accessibility for pedestri-ans, bicyclists, trains and cars. The succession of pioneer plants is used as an economically profitable strategy for developing the area. The industrial feeling within the area is preserved and reworked by using materials of metal, bricks, steel and concrete com-bined with glass.

The peninsulaThe peninsula is shaped by keeping the existing canal in the north, while largely expanding the small canal in the south and opening the canal in the west. The organically shaped southern canal interplays with the strict lines of the northern canal and acts like a slo-ping river along the southern side.

Site of Succession

The old factory site is reinvented and reshaped with the intention of improving the social and cultural life in Groningen. Connections are adapted to existing infrastructure to improve the accessibility and to establish a flow between the city cen-tre and the city park. Natural suc-cession of pioneer plants is used as a strategy for development and the fi-nal output is a recreational peninsu-la for the inhabitants of Groningen.

The siteThe site is situated in an industrial area close to the city centre of the Universi-ty City Groningen in the Ne-therlands. Groningen is the 6th largest city in the Netherlands, and is known as the most bicycle-friendly city in the world.

The old sugar plant territory is a flat and open landscape surrounded by industry, wetlands, housing areas and the public park Stadspark. Canals

Group 11: By Justyna Chmielewska, Lasse Bøtker Hansen, Inger Marie Mulvad, Caroline Grenaa Németh

and other infrastructural elements are framing what used to be the site of the old sugar factory Suiker Unie.

QualitiesThe various qualities of the area have served as inspiration for the project. The site is a big open space, where the succession of pioneer plants causes a feeling of temporality. Lines of water and infrastructure surround the site as a dynamic border of trains, boats and vehicles, creating an isolated feeling that stresses the need for better acces-sibility. The site is located seven min-utes by bike from the city centre and a few hundred meters from the romantic Stadspark.

ConceptThe concept of this project is to create a peninsula near the city of Groningen with space for cultural events, activi-ties and recreational experiences that

ConnectionsTo improve the connection to the city centre and the Stadspark the site is connected to the existing bike path system in three different directions. This is done by establishing a bridge as an extension of a boardwalk and a bike path across the site. The existing pedestrians’ entry in the eastern part of the site is extended with a wooden deck along the southern canal. Two

parallel wooden boardwalks empha-size the flow towards the southern canal, and strengthen the connections across the peninsula. The two board-walks are linked to the wooden deck and the buildings. By adding a station the site becomes accessible by train.

The railway, highway and the canals proclaim the idea of an isolated pen-insula.

The project area is connected to the city centre of Groningen and to the city park.

Connecting the area to the city’s bike-path system provides improved acces-sibility and connection between the city centre and the city park.

The system of canals and wetland zones. The southern canal is large-ly expanded while the western and northern canals are connected.

“The project benefits from the force of natu-ral succession”

MASTERPLAN

city centre

city centre

raised boardwalk

ice cream parlorraised boardwalk

sugar factory

café

concrete layer

parking

car entry

forest layer

forest layer

bike path

bike path

hammock area playground

sand area

highway

herb layerherb layer

herb layer railway

water play

station

wooden deck

wooden deck

DETAILED PLAN

terrace

chimneygreenhouse

greenhouse

greenhouse

greenhouse

glass extension

glass extension

boat rental

quay path

highway

THE PENINSULA CONNECTIONS WATERBIKEPATHS

railway

canalproject area project area project area project area

canal

Stadspark Stadspark

N

A

AA

office building

0m 50m 100m


Visualization showing the canal and the terrace at the southern side of the old sugar factory. The wooden deck runs along the canal and provides the area with different experiences and usabilities.

Detailed plan of the south western part of the site with the station. The wooden deck and the bikepath cross the canal. The open space on the concrete layer with cracks of Salix and wild herbs can serve for various events, such as a market.

Group 11: By Justyna Chmielewska, Lasse Bøtker Hansen, Inger Marie Mulvad, Caroline Grenaa Németh

Accessibility by car is possible from the main road in the north east.

Plant strategyThe project benefits from the force of natural succession of Salix and herbs which is used as a tool for deve-loping the area. The plant succession in the existing and new cracks in the con-crete are made to develop the area towards the proposal of this project. However, the succession is not uncon-trolled and will not overrule the build-ing structures and the path system. The Plant strategy is divided into four different vegetation layers; the forest layer that consists of natural succes-

sion and Populus, the existing concrete layer, the herb and tree layer and the herb layer that slope into the water.

Building strategyThe built structures are organized along the two parallel boardwalks, where future expansion of the built structure will be possible. The struc-ture intersects with the east-west go-ing flow of the site and divides the area into three sections to break the scale.

ExperiencesThe aim of this project is to provide the users with different cultural, rec-reational and active experiences. The large open area near the old sugar factory can be used for outside mar-ketplace, stage area or other place demanding activities. The buildings provide room for exhibitions, offices and service functions. Recreational experiences are provided in the dense forest area with hammocks hanging in the trees. By the southern canal users can take a walk or sit on the wooden deck and rest on the sand area or the terraces near the water. Boat rental, playground, skate boarding, ice skat-ing and fishing are some of the activi-ties that can be performed, both in the open spaces and near the water.

“The aim of this pro-ject is to provide users with different cultural, recreational and active experiences.”

bike path

concrete layer

succession cracksuccession crack

floating deck

stationrailway

forest layer

southern canal

wooden deck

continuing to canal

AA

0m 10m 20m

entrance

parking

playground

sand areawater play

boat rental

wooden deck

paved forest path

paved forest path

trampled pathboardwalk

bike path

bike pathopen space

open space/family areahammock area

station

SectionA AAtrain stationsouthern canalnorthern canal existing concretebikepathforest layer

café

existing concrete layer

herb layer

tree and herb layer

forest layer

Green structure Paths Future building strategyExperiences

boardwalk

0m 10m 20m


Inner City Groningen

Stadspark

Wetland

Factory Plaza

Idea City

Highway and Airport

Production Square

Environment Center

Concept diagram illustrating each centre’s connection and experimental uses.

A unique structure What makes the Experimental Islands so unique is its cutting edge structure extracted from the history of the site. The structure of pathways and canals are taken from the former industrial footprints on site. It acknowledges imperfection as an endearing feature. The vibrant chaos of the structure of-fers a dynamic experience of the place.

Connecting elementsThrough the site water and vegeta-tion act as unifying elements. The forested vegetation spaces form a con-nected green belt that separates each experimental area into an independ-ent but not isolated island. It is also a recreational space for visitors to walk through and enjoy the whole site.

The water cuts into the land both dividing and pulling together the site. It separates by being a definite border for the Experimental Islands. It pulls together the site by surrounding the whole place, which lift the experience of Experimental Islands as a unified special place in Groningen. The neigh-bourhood relates to each other by in-

Experimental Islands

Masterplan 1:3500. Experimental Islands, a diverse site on the traces of former industry to test and showcase creative ideas.

Connections Neighbourhoods Path systems Green and blue structure

Experimental Islands is a new crea-tive addition to the city of Gronin-gen. This landscape seeks to pro-vide more than just a regular park; it creates a place that dissolves the boundaries between learning and enjoyment.

What if a landscape could facilitate growth in a city of Universities and at the same time guide Groningen into the future as a city of inventions? Ex-perimental Islands is located a little west of the city centre of Groningen. This space has been created to meet

Group 12: By Olivia Day, Signe Hvergel Petersen, Kristine Understrup, Troels Bak Wahlgreen

the demands of innovative people. The three experimental neighbour-hoods: Idea City, Production Square and Environmental Centre, facilitate the different needs of entrepreneurs, researchers and artists. All neighbour-hoods are connected by a dynamic system of paths and vegetation span-ning from the old sugar factory, which remains the heart of the site.

tegrating water in their own specific way, which creates distinct spaces that in turn allow different experiences in each area.

A cultural centreThe two main access bridges lead di-rectly to The Factory Plaza (formerly the sugar factory), which acts as the centre of the site. The strong and direct angle of the bridges leads attention to the old factory buildings and connects to Groningen city centre in the north and Stadspark to the south.

The Factory Plaza is a central point naturally due to its large open expanse of space and ability to connect the dif-ferent neighbourhoods. The Experi-mental Islands is a place where locals and visitors gather to network and broadcast their ideas.

The Factory Plaza, both visually and structurally, is a key element in

“Locals and visitors gather to network and brodcast their ideas”

Factory Plaza

Factory Plaza

Factory Plaza

Idea City

City

Stadspark

Production Square

Environmental centre

N

Factory Plazaevent and exhibition

space

Old Sugar Factory

A

a

Idea Citystart up

businesses

Experimental zone

large scale

Continuos green

structure

Entry bridge connecting

to city

Experimental zone

small scale

Experimental zonemedium scale

Entry bridge connecting to

Stadspark

Production Squarewarehouses for large

scale work

Environmental Centre

science and research labs

Highway

Railway

New canal

Wetland

Existing canal

0m 50m 100m25m

WaterVegetation


The ground structure is drawn from the original built pattern of the sugar factory.

Group 12: By Olivia Day, Signe Hvergel Petersen, Kristine Understrup, Troels Bak Wahlgreen

the city’s history and context. The pla-za contains three main elements – the old factory buildings, a wooden deck connecting to a café and a green area for relaxing. It is designed to facilitate different kinds of events and tempo-rary activities.

Three neighbourhoodsIn each corner of the site an experi-mental neighbourhood is placed. These neighbourhoods are the key-stones of the site, and define the way the entire site will be used over time. Each neighbourhood is organized dif-ferently to allow for different uses and activities. Furthermore an outdoor ex-perimental space is linked to each of the neighbourhoods that is temporary and allows for more wild and chang-ing uses.

In the northern corner near the en-try bridge to the city centre lies Idea city. Idea city is a neighbourhood with an urban feel. It is perfect for start-up businesses that can profit from the densified area where thoughts and

ideas can be easily shared and devel-oped. The neighbourhood is character-ized by the colour red, which is used in the red brick pavement and light poles. A tightly structured, small-scale, ex-perimental area is linked to this neigh-bourhood.

Production Square is placed in the south eastern corner of the site just beside a raised highway that connects Groningen to the outside. This neigh-bourhood caters for the experiments and explorations of a large scale with big production halls and large open

spaces. This space is appropriate for both artistic and scientific large scale projects. The neighbourhood is con-nected to the colour yellow, which is shown in yellow striped tarmac and yellow details on the buildings. An easily adaptable experimental area for physically large projects is linked to this space.

Located to the west of the site in connection to the wetland is The En-vironmental Centre. This neighbour-hood which is for environmental sci-ence labs and agricultural work has

smaller office buildings surrounding three green courtyards that function as small orchards. A green, less organ-ised, experimental area is linked to this neighbourhood.

Experimental Islands creates wonder for the visitor as a park that continu-ously changes, an idea generator for the curious mind and a place of growth for Groningen. It becomes a place that bases itself on the old industry and defines a new one in a time of knowl-edge.

The Factory Plaza ForestRecreational

a A

1:1000

CanalCanalCut grassRailway

Canal Canal

Canal

Path Deck Path Path Path

The three different neighbourhoods, showing different building typologies and landscapes within.

Visualisation of the Factory Plaza, an open industrial space for temporary events and exhibitions.

Section Aa: The railway to the waterway, looking towards the Old Sugar Factory, through recreational green structure and event space.

Environment Centre Production Square Idea City

Traced lines

The old site

Overall network


over decades the urban structure has been kept compact in order not to overtax the surrounding vulnerable landscapes as well as upholding an easily accessible inner city. However, as Groningen has become such a vi-brant metropolis the city now faces the challenge of a growing number of resi-dents. This challenge must be faced in future planning, not only in terms of providing housing, but also in terms of public health, environmental sustain-ability and ecology.

A Multifaceted Urban Park

Fig. 1. Masterplan 1: 3000.

Fig. 3. Section through the park showing the diverse vegetation elements of varying densities and species compositions.

As the city of Groningen faces chal-lenges caused by a growing number of residents this project proposes an urban park for both cultural and recreational use that in time can transform into an attractive green housing area.

With a population of approx. 198.000 inhabitants Groningen is the largest city in the northern part of the Neth-erlands. As an important urban centre for arts, education and business, the city is often referred to as “The me-tropolis of the North”.

Groningen is a leading university city which is a strong feature in the city’s identity and here you find the lowest average age in all of Holland. Furthermore, Groningen is known as

Group 13: By Cristina Conciatu, Ida Løvenkjær, Josef Salac, Malene Fogh Bang

one of the world’s top biking cities and as such infrastructure is very impor-

tant for the city. In spite of the natural expansion the city has gone through

The recent demolition of the sugar plant located west of the city centre has left a space ready for new inter-vention.

Today, the former industrial site forms a desolate void and physical barrier between the surrounding areas. The area is inaccessible and as such it is not possible to cross it going from one neighbourhood to the next without having to take a detour.

This proposal introduces an urban park that links the surrounding neigh-

forest fragmentforest

forest

forestforest fragment

grass

event square

stage

cultural center

bridge

bridge

wooden deck

wooden deck

cultural center

path

car entrance

parking

rainwater basin

perennials

rainwater basin

car entrance

path

perennials

Fig. 2. Concept for the design of the urban park. Pieces break off the two forest structures and move around in the funnel shape, creating a dynamic landscape.

“Today, the former in-dustrial site forms a desolate void and phys-ical barrier between the surrounding areas.”


Fig. 4. Visualisation depicting the atmosphere around the stage on the event square in front of the future cultural center.

Group 13: By Cristina Conciatu, Ida Løvenkjær, Josef Salac, Malene Fogh Bang

bourhoods together and provides an attractive, green recreational environ-ment that for the present can play host to the numerous events that take place in Groningen annually, and on longer term also can be a frame for future housing developments.

Park designThe proposed new design for the for-mer sugar plant site is structured by two large forest formations. These make up the backbone of the area and on the one hand screen the site from the highway and railway and on the other hand hold on to the surround-ing areas and thereby linking them tog-ether. The two forest structures form a funnel shape that opens up to-wards the open wetlands and narrows in towards the city. Within the funnel shape, forest fragments orientated to-wards the funnel head create dynamic landscape elements on a grass cover (fig. 2). Through different densities

and diverse species compositions the forest elements ensure a varied expe-rience of the site as well as provide biotopes for wildlife (fig. 3). Linked to most of the forest fragments are volu-minous autoregulated perennial beds

“By developing an iconic green space from the start it will bring a particularly strong identity to the area”

1:2000

Fig. 6. Section through a depression in the terrain that function as rainwater basin, but also outline where future housing will be developed.

Fig. 5. Diagram showing how the rainwater basins in the future could develop into housing. Eventually, the forest fragments will become housing fragments instead.

center and a square in front of them provide the necessary space for the many various events in Groningen that could potentially take place here (fig. 4).

The accessibility to and across the site will be improved by a total of seven entrances. A sturdy path sys-tem for both cyclists and pedestrians will make it easy to move around in the area and a road running along the southern border will make it possible for cars to enter the site.

A forest within a city becomes a city within a forestThe structure of this urban park is such that it can easily hold housing in the future. This is hinted on the western side of the forest fragments by squared depressions in the terrain that for the

present function as rainwater manage-ment, but also outline where future housing will be developed (fig. 6). In the end, the character of the park will go from being a forest within a city to being a city within a forest as the for-est fragments will eventually become housing fragments instead. By placing future housing on the western side of the forest fragments it will bring yet another dimension to the experience of the site. When facing east you will ex-perience the “urban” facet of the area, meaning the housing structures with the city skyline in the background. When facing east you will see the “park” facet, meaning the vegetation elements with the vast open wetlands in the distance.

StrategyWhere planning schemes often tend to develop the urban structure prior to

the green spaces this project seeks to do it the other way around. By devel-oping an iconic green space from the start, it will bring a particularly strong identity to the area and thus appeal even more to potential dwellers. It is often seen that where the urban struc-tures are developed first, not enough space is left green as it by that time is considered unprofitable. Developing the park first will ensure there will be green space in the area once the hous-ing is built which will be beneficial both for social, ecological and eco-nomical reasons.

of a slightly wild character that bring additional recreational and ecological values to the site.

The green structure that is laid out will not only have recreational func-tions, but also cultural. The remaining buildings will function as a cultural

d e t n at u r - o g b i ov i d e n s k a b e l i g e fa k u lt e tk b e n av n s u n i ve r s i t e t

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